2.5 ⭐ / 1 🌶️

This book was such a disappointment to me because it was one of my anticipated reads for the year. I was really looking forward to it and had such high hopes but it just did not hold up for me and it took me forever to finish! There was a lot wrong with this book, but my main issue was that it read like it was being read out loud by a bunch of school children taking turns reading paragraphs. The storyline was very stilted, very awkward, and did not flow well at all.

I struggled with this book until I switched to audio at 60%. I found the FMC too naive for someone in their mid-20s raised at an inn in a town that was not well-off. And the use of common, English curse words pulled me out of the story- not bc “🫢 bad words!” but bc the words used are words we use now. I enjoyed the plot and the world building. I really like the pacing and how many different elements of the world were shown as the FMC went on her journeys through the book. I just didn’t love the two main characters. 🤷🏻‍♀️ He was clearly not to be trusted and I was annoyed she naively trusted him. The villains were amazingly evil, though. And I loved the Crone popping in to give cryptic advice and annoy the FMC.

I did enjoy this even thought there are alot of common tropes found in this book. Very entertaining and also a good premise, the character arcs just felt rushed at times as well. Still a fun read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

Okay listen—I wanted to love this book. And parts of it? I totally did. It had so many things I live for: deadly trials, spicy tension, hidden magic, and a swoony, stabby prince with a chip on his shoulder. Yes, Roshan, I’m talking about you.

Suraya is a bladesmith who accidentally ends up in a royal Hunger Games-style bride competition (because… sure, why not?), and naturally chaos ensues. Oh, and did I mention she might secretly have an ancient magic and be the key to a larger plot?

Now, the romance? I was into it. The slow burn was real and Roshan had major “touch her and die” energy, which I obviously ate up. Their banter was fun, their tension was apparent, and I was here for all the angsty looks and unresolved feelings. But the pacing? Ehhh. Some parts dragged a little, and I wanted the worldbuilding to go a bit deeper—and it just felt like we only scratched the surface.

So yeah, I liked it! Didn’t love love it, but I had fun, and I’m curious to see where it goes next. If you’re into reluctant chosen ones, courtly chaos, and morally gray princes with swords and secrets, this might just be your next read.

3.5 ⭐️’s

I was hoping to love this book due to the blurb and cover intriguing me but it was hard for me to get through for the first 40-60% because my attention was not being grabbed. It felt like the story was very slow to start and some of the dialogue didn’t make sense to me with how the story was set. I was almost about to DNF until it finally caught my attention and I started to enjoy it a bit.

Once the story started to pick up I felt myself having a hard time putting it down. The magical elements, the action scenes, Suraya discovering her magical abilities, and Roshan and her love blossoming throughout the story were written well enough for me to give it 3 and 1/2 stars. Sadly due to most of the book feeling slow and taking me out of the story, this couldn’t get a higher rating.

I do plan on continuing with this series and hope that the next book has a better start to the continuation of this series as it progresses.

This book is just fine in my opinion. There's nothing groundbreaking about it. The actual plot and characters felt just okay to be. I wasn't super invested in the story. It's not that it wasn't entertaining, it felt like a lack of development to really make you care about everything and everyone. I almost wish it was YA instead of adult. The writing and story I think fits better with that genre and the spice didn't add much to the story. I do like the use of Middle Eastern and Indian mythology to set up the world.

It is a fun story for the most part, just didn't connect the way I wish it would have.

This was a fun fantasy, I really loved the world building and the magic system in this one! I’m also a sucker for an really good villain, I think it’s so fun when you just love to hate the antagonist in a book and Amalie Howard did a really good job at making Javed an unlikable character! I will say, it was very predictable and I found myself trying to push through those middle chapters just because it got a little slower. Also, I’m not sure what it is but when fantasy books use modern terms like “thick thighs save lives,” I just think it’s out of place like it’s forced and feels weird. But, overall the story is fun and adventurous, I gave it a 3.5!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC review copy.

I really, really enjoyed The Starlight Heir! It's such a refreshing twist on fantasy elements with Middle Eastern-inspired worldbuilding. It's perfect if you're tired of fae and dragons, but still want some easy-going fantasy with romantic elements.

The pacing was on point. It had plenty of action, without feeling rushed or chaotic. I will say, there were a lot of moments that felt a bit too convenient, as though the author wanted to justify what was going on. The protagonist also felt a bit over-powered in a lot of action sequences, which made sense at first ("I can't control it, and the power has been lying dormant for so long") but near the end just felt like a mismatched, anti-climactic fight.

I'm excited to see where the author goes with the story, and will definitely be continuing the series as its released!

I made it about 30% into this book and tried several times to read it before I could not continue. Maybe I am not in the right place to read it currently. The biggest thing that pulled me out of the story was the use of super modern, casual dialogue. In a fantasy setting (as opposed to urban fantasy), it felt jarring and out of place. I also had a difficult time with the pacing and the character development as well. I will attempt to try again at a later date.

This book was as mid as they come. If you like tropes… Honestly, just a book I read. Amused me enough. Annoyed me some. Glad to be done.

The thing most people will probably struggle with is the dialogue. Nothing to take you out of reading a fantasy book like modern speak (i.e., the MC unironically saying “Goals”). The banter between the FMC and the prince made me laugh, but at them, not with them.

Also, the main character was 25 (which is how old I am), and they read like teenagers.

There was nothing terrible about this book. It was just much of the same as a lot of the romantasy already out, just executed worse (something that could be improved with good editing).

I forgot to do my review for this, so sorry! I loved this book though! I love the Middle Eastern/ Indian inspiration in this tale! If you enjoy forbidden romance, dangerous trials and hidden magic you would enjoy this!

I wanted to like it so, so, so bad. I am always a tad wary of all the famous author recommendations pasted throughout a book's summary, but I wanted to give it a shot. It just wasn't for me, and I'm not sure why; believe me, I have thought hard on it. The book had potential, and the concept is unique enough to be engaging, but it just wasn't. I think the book needed to be fleshed out more; the characters needed more connection (both with the other characters and with the reader), and overall, the tone just didn't reel me in.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free arc in exchange for an honest review!
i wanted to like this so much, the cover alone is so gorgeous and had me hooked, unfortunately it was just a little too YA for me. the writing wasn't very good and i just couldn't connect to the characters

I love Amalie Howard and I love fantasy books so I really wanted to like this and maybe my expectations were a bit too high. I liked the general premise and it is a solid fantasy book, but maybe it's just me but it felt too YA (which is not a favorite genre of mine) and I couldn't get invested into it. I think this is more a case of for the wrong book for the wrong readers because I think if this had been listed a more New Adult than Romantasy I would have felt more prepared and NA readers are probably a better fit.

Thank you, Netgalley and Avon, for this ARC!

This is definitely not your typical, classic, fantasy story, but I enjoyed it. The modern language woven in was fun - I don't think all fantasy has to be written as if it's a period piece. Suraya is a likable character from the start, but I enjoyed her journey.

I do wish some of the supporting characters, like Clem and Laleh, had more of a presence in the book. They aren't really developed beyond plot devices for Suraya, and they were both intriguing characters!

And I know we are really up to speed with what's going on with the God of Night- it makes me want to read book 2, but I also wanted a little more sbout that backstory in this book. With the miscommunication/deceit in the book, I appreciated it not being dragged out in a way that you know the second book is going to be full of pining. Yay, SurRo!

This book was so hard for me. I wanted to like it and at points I did, but the world building was difficult for me to understand. It was overly complex and presented all at once making it hard for me to digest. I also couldn't get behind the dark god's point of view. I feel like I spent most of the book confused.

Rating: 3/5

Note: thank you netgalley for this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am not quite sure how I feel about this book. Overall, I think it was a good story and I think that
the overall idea and plot of the book was good and I really like the characters and the magic
system. I can’t put an idea as to what exactly I am not fully liking about this book but I think that
it has to do with the second point of view from the dark god. I didn’t really get it and it made me
question if I was missing something or if it was going to be a book 2 sort of deal but I think
because of that I couldn’t really get fully invested in the story.

The Starlight Heir is a cosmic rollercoaster of magic, destiny, and star-powered drama! From the moment the protagonist learns they’re not just a regular teen but the heir to a celestial legacy, I was hooked. The world-building sparkles (literally), the plot twists hit like meteor showers, and the characters? Total stardust icons. If you’re into secret lineages, magical battles, and a dash of romance written in the stars—this one’s for you. 10/10 would pledge allegiance to the stars again.

I so wanted to love this book. It has so much potential. I may reread it to see if I love it the second time around. I really enjoyed the world building in this one!

Suraya, a bladesmith recieves an invitation summoning her to the palace. But it’s the princes brother who grabs her attention.

I enjoyed the twists of this one, but honestly I went in with such high expectations and it just didn’t hit the way I was hoping. I liked the world building, the magical creatures, and the deadly trials.

Read if you love:
* Forced proximity
* Slow burn
* Hidden identities
* Deadly trials